A FAMILY who moved to Chigwell only three weeks ago have spoken of their devastation after their new home was burgled twice.

The O'Connell family, of Stanway Close, had two mountain bikes worth £500 stolen in the first break-in last Wednesday, and then had their two beloved puppies swiped in a second raid in the early hours of Thursday morning (October 29).

Judith O'Connell, 37, said her children, aged 10 and 11, had been left heartbroken following the thefts, and issued a tearful appeal for the return of their pets.

She said: “My kids are absolutely devastated by it. The person that's done this is a complete and utter coward. How could they steal from our children like this? They must not have any heart at all.”

On both occasions the thieves are believed to have broken in over a damaged part of a wall surrounding the family's back garden.

The bikes were stolen from their garden sometime between 1pm and 4pm on Wednesday while the family were out.

The dogs, who were in a shed in the garden, were taken sometime between 6.30am and 6.45am the next day while the O'Connells were sleeping.

The family had only just moved to Chigwell from Chingford in East London.

Mrs O'Connell said: “What's happened doesn't make us feel very happy about the place. We've spoken to some dog wardens and apparently quite a few dogs have been stolen around here.

“We just want someone to help. We registered with everyone and put posters up everywhere. We just want our dogs back.”

Both dogs are half-staff-half-doberman in breed and aged six months. One, Reggie, has a black collar and is dark brown with a white blaze down his chest. He is also microchipped.

The other dog, Janine, is tanned with a black tail, dark ears, a dark nose and has a red collar.

Mrs O'Connell wants anyone who thinks they may have seen the dogs to call her on 0795-2663-304.